Word Origin & History

directory mid-15c. (adj.), from L. directorius; as a noun, 1540s, from M.L. directorium, noun use of neut. of directorius, from directus (see direct). Meaning "alphabetical listing of inhabitants of a region" is from 1732; listing of telephone numbers is from 1908.

Example Sentences for directory

The people at Paris, called the Directory, were worried over our condition.

Thence to a public library, but could find no satisfactory Schlegel in the directory.

If you had called on me between twelve and three, you 'd have found me like a directory.

Besides, as anyone who cares may see, the "General Directory," vol.

Perhaps the Directory of the county town is the only available volume.

Directory of a city, the, as affording profitable reading, 155.

It was called the Directory, and consisted of nine Brethren.

She turned into an office building, and studied the directory in the lobby.

And when he wants information does he hunt up a directory or a cop?

The Directory in the silent and unpopulated lobby was names, all names.